A few days ago, we announced that Microsoft and security firm FireEye had signed a new partnership to improve Windows Defender with more advanced features. But according to a report from an Australian magazine, the deal involved more than just the reason for the new partnership.
As we reported earlier this week, one of the terms of the agreement was the exchange of telemetry data collected by Microsoft from Windows 10 computers.
While it was not clear why FireEye needs Windows 10 telemetry data, such a deal is certainly very concerning for users of Redmond's latest operating system.
However, according to a company spokesperson, the information is not accurate, as the agreement in question only includes the enhanced security features of Windows Defender.
The company spokesperson explained that sharing telemetry data is not a term of the new partnership, so information collected from Windows 10 systems will be available exclusively to Microsoft.
“The nature of the agreement between Microsoft and FireEye is only to license FireEye’s iSIGHT Intelligence threat assessment software. This additional layer of information includes indicators and reports of past attacks that are collected and processed by FireEye to enhance the detection capabilities of Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (WDATP). The agreement does not include the exchange of Microsoft telemetry data,” the company spokesperson explained.
For those who don't know exactly what telemetry data Windows 10 sends to Microsoft, you can see it in detail at the link at the end of the post. According to the company, everything is anonymous, encrypted, and does not include personal information.
Microsoft says it needs to collect some information from Windows 10 systems in order to improve the operating system's performance and address problems that arise.
The company does not guarantee that only Microsoft technicians will have access to Windows 10 telemetry data:
“We share your personal data with your consent or as necessary to complete any transaction or to provide any product you have requested or authorized. We also share data with Microsoft affiliates and subsidiaries, with suppliers working on our behalf, when required by law or to respond to legal process, to protect our customers, to protect life, to maintain the safety of our products, and to protect the rights or property of Microsoft.”
For more information, read the Microsoft Terms of Service.
